PARENTS/GUARDIANS – THANK YOU!
On behalf of the entire staff at Algonquin, we would like to thank all of our parents and guardians for their work in supporting student learning during this school closure.
We recognize that many parents in our community are working both in and outside of the home during this closure. We also know that you have dedicated significant time to helping encourage and support your children in their school activity completion over the past several weeks.
Balancing all of the needs families face in these uncertain times is not easy. And we know that everyone in our community is trying their best.
The staff at AMS is here to help. Please reach out to your child’s teacher, school counselor or myself if there is anything we can do to support your child or family.
We are all in this together.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Rob Messia
TEACHER ACCESS HOURS
During our Staff Development Day on Monday, teachers worked hard with colleagues to streamline learning activities, resources and coordinate “Access Hours.” Below is a link to a public Google Sheet that outlines teacher Access Hours, where staff are available to support students, largely through Google Meets, and receive assistance with their learning activities.
These Access Hours work like our regular Access that occurs during the regular school day, with students connecting with the teachers of classes with which they may have questions or need additional support.
Please encourage your child to reach out to their teachers, as needed, based on the schedule provided below.
Click Here to View Access Hours: https://bit.ly/2UOMIJg
GRADING FOR THE THIRD MARKING PERIOD
On Tuesday’s Morning Announcements additional information regarding Third Marking Period grading practices were shared with students. The narrated slides segment of the morning announcements on this topic is available below:
https://bit.ly/2UvkHY4
Also, here is a publicly viewable link to the slides themselves that were shared in the morning announcements:
https://bit.ly/39vV5Pg
FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR AVERILL PARK STUDENTS
Free grab and go breakfast and lunch is available for students free of charge during the school closure
PICK UP HAS NOW MOVED TO THE AVERILL PARK HIGH SCHOOL
9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Drive-thru pick-up stations. Remain in your car and meals will be brought to you.
Monday: Lunch for Mon, Breakfast and Lunch for Tues, Breakfast for Wed
Wednesday: Lunch for Wed, Breakfast and Lunch for Thurs, Breakfast for Fri
Friday: Lunch for Fri, Breakfast for Mon
Dietary restrictions, please contact Colleen Wise at wisec@apcsd.org.
FROM THE APO:
APO – YANKEE TRAILS BUS TRIP RAFFLE extended!
Support APO programs by purchasing a raffle ticket(s) to win a day “Bus Trip for 2” from Yankee Trails to NYC or Boston (certificate doesn’t expire until 12/31/2020). You may purchase online via Paypal!
Paypal money can be sent to ams.parentorg@yahoo.com (put “Raffle tickets” in the comment section).
One ticket for $5; or 3 tickets for $10.
Thank you Yankee Trails for supporting APO!
FROM THE LIBRARY:
Book Club: There will be a virtual book club on Wednesday, April 1st, (no joke!), from 2:30-3:15 with Mrs. Ekstrom and Mrs. Dowd on Google Hangouts Meet. Students should bring any middle school book to show and discuss. Students should email Mrs Ekstrom if they would like to come and she will provide the link to the meeting: ekstromr@apcsd.org
E-Books and Audiobooks are available 24-7! Students can read books on their Chromebooks or download a free app called Sora to read books on a phone or tablet. Your child only needs to sign in through their Google account, no password required. Go to this link and follow the directions: https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/e-books-and-audio-books
Please contact Mrs. Ekstrom if you have any questions: ekstromr@apcsd.org
“BLOCKING PRIVATE CALLS” IMPACTS CALLS FROM STAFF TO PARENTS
Parents/Guardians: When teachers are reaching out to families we have been met with some “private calls being blocked” messages. That means if a parent has set their phone to not receive calls from “private phone numbers.” This may lead to you missing a call from your child’s teacher, school counselor or principal. Please consider adjusting this setting during the school closure to ensure that you receive phone calls from school personnel.
AMS MAIN OFFICE PHYSICALLY CLOSED, VOICEMAIL BEING CHECKED
The AMS Main Office is physically closed, however we are checking the main office voicemail. If you need assistance please leave a message with a good contact phone number and someone will return your call.
SCHOOL COUNSELORS HERE TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD
During this time of school closure, the AMS Counseling Center remains open, virtually, for students and families. If you need support or assistance for your child at any time during this closure, please reach out to you child’s counselor listed below:
Grade 6:
Team 1 – Tim Herbs – herbst@apcsd.org
Team 2 – Mary Anne Valentine – valentinem@apcsd.org
Grade 7: Teams 3 & 4 – Tim Herbs – herbst@apcsd.org
Grade 8: Teams 5 & 6 – Mary Anne Valentine – valentinem@apcsd.org
Social Social Worker: Linda Bille – billel@apcsd.org
School Psychologist: Amber Williams – williamsa@apcsd.org
Student Assistance Counselor: Samantha Keenan – keenans@apcsd.org
NEED TECH SUPPORT FOR YOUR CHROMEBOOK?
The Averill Park CSD Technology Office is here to help with Chromebook and instructional software challenges students may face in the days ahead. Please click on this link for FAQ and ways to request direct assistance:
https://sites.google.com/apcsd.org/onlinelearning/tech-support?authuser=0
DAILY VIDEO DURING SCHOOL CLOSURE
During the school closure Mr. Gela and I will be posting a “Morning Announcements” video each day.
Encourage your student to subscribe to the YouTube channel so they stay connected with our school community.
These Morning Announcements have a fun format with a goal of being informative and engaging.
Visit the school’s YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa6dAayrQP-IEoHIghV38Lg and then click “Subscribe.”
ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION REQUESTS FOR 2020-21
The APCSD Transportation Department is now accepting alternate transportation request forms for the 2020-2021 school year. This form is used to request in district alternate transportation for child care purposes.
Please click here for the form, which includes additional information:
https://www.averillpark.k12.ny.us/images/Services/transportation/TransportationFormChildcare.pdf